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Food Glorious Food : an investigation into the processes of learning, network building and articulation of expectations at The Food Assembly in London, UK

Bajer, Jamie LU (2017) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20171
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract (Swedish)
Society has become locked into an unsustainable agri-food system based on resource intensive industrial agriculture and a globalized supply chain producing food that is damaging to the environment and society. In London, United Kingdom a network of alternative food initiatives exists challenging this agri-food system and bring about a transition to one that is more sustainable. However so far the unsustainable food consumption and production practices remain dominant and
these alternative food initiatives remain on the fringes of society. In order to better understand the processes that influence the success of alternative food initiatives The Food Assembly, an initiative promoting local food purchased directly from producers online and... (More)
Society has become locked into an unsustainable agri-food system based on resource intensive industrial agriculture and a globalized supply chain producing food that is damaging to the environment and society. In London, United Kingdom a network of alternative food initiatives exists challenging this agri-food system and bring about a transition to one that is more sustainable. However so far the unsustainable food consumption and production practices remain dominant and
these alternative food initiatives remain on the fringes of society. In order to better understand the processes that influence the success of alternative food initiatives The Food Assembly, an initiative promoting local food purchased directly from producers online and distributed at local venues or Assemblies, was studied using the internal processes of learning, networking and articulation of
expectations as an analytical framework. Contribution of an intermediary role of The Food Assembly headquarters (HQ) to these internal processes was also investigated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted of Assembly hosts and producers and a survey was conducted of members. The study found that existing learning processes could be improved for hosts through training on a range
of topics including in particular marketing and for both hosts and producers through sharing sales analytics data. Existing networking processes would benefit from regular meetings between hosts and through increased collaboration with local cafes, restaurants and offices. Existing expectations regarding time commitment of hosts may be made more credible with a formalized volunteering
system. Finally it was found that HQ could play a greater intermediary role through creating generalized knowledge from host, producer and member feedback, creating a forum for exchange of this knowledge with the aim to produce updated guidelines based on this feedback. The use of the processes of learning, networking and articulation of expectations proved helpful as a framework
and enabled key issues within The Food Assembly to be highlighted. The findings of this study may prove helpful for other niche initiatives and intermediary actors in achieving success. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bajer, Jamie LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20171
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
niche-internal processes, intermediary actors, strategic niche management, sustainability science, alternative food networks
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2017:033
language
English
id
8915006
date added to LUP
2017-06-18 16:13:17
date last changed
2017-10-17 17:24:36
@misc{8915006,
  abstract     = {{Society has become locked into an unsustainable agri-food system based on resource intensive industrial agriculture and a globalized supply chain producing food that is damaging to the environment and society. In London, United Kingdom a network of alternative food initiatives exists challenging this agri-food system and bring about a transition to one that is more sustainable. However so far the unsustainable food consumption and production practices remain dominant and
these alternative food initiatives remain on the fringes of society. In order to better understand the processes that influence the success of alternative food initiatives The Food Assembly, an initiative promoting local food purchased directly from producers online and distributed at local venues or Assemblies, was studied using the internal processes of learning, networking and articulation of
expectations as an analytical framework. Contribution of an intermediary role of The Food Assembly headquarters (HQ) to these internal processes was also investigated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted of Assembly hosts and producers and a survey was conducted of members. The study found that existing learning processes could be improved for hosts through training on a range
of topics including in particular marketing and for both hosts and producers through sharing sales analytics data. Existing networking processes would benefit from regular meetings between hosts and through increased collaboration with local cafes, restaurants and offices. Existing expectations regarding time commitment of hosts may be made more credible with a formalized volunteering
system. Finally it was found that HQ could play a greater intermediary role through creating generalized knowledge from host, producer and member feedback, creating a forum for exchange of this knowledge with the aim to produce updated guidelines based on this feedback. The use of the processes of learning, networking and articulation of expectations proved helpful as a framework
and enabled key issues within The Food Assembly to be highlighted. The findings of this study may prove helpful for other niche initiatives and intermediary actors in achieving success.}},
  author       = {{Bajer, Jamie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Food Glorious Food : an investigation into the processes of learning, network building and articulation of expectations at The Food Assembly in London, UK}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}